episode_0050

The Busan International Film Festival lasts approximately 10 days.

However, the only days Seo Yisoo could participate in were the opening day and the second day, which was the first screening of “Sea Diary.”

Seo Yisoo is currently filming a drama.

Not just any role, but a somewhat important supporting role.

The fact that she could attend the film festival for just two days was all thanks to the consideration of the “Crime Predator” production team.

After finishing the first screening event of “Sea Diary,” Seo Yisoo had to head straight to Seoul.

If by chance Seo Yisoo were to win a personal award at the film festival, she might have been able to stay a bit longer…

The main individual award at the festival was the ‘Actor of the Year’ award, given to one male and one female actor each.

So, the possibility of a personal award was not very high.

It was more likely that the work itself would receive an award.

Whatever it may be, any award would undoubtedly be a positive development.

Not only for the success of “Sea Diary” as a work, but also for Seo Yisoo personally.

Ten days later, the closing ceremony took place.

“Sea Diary” won the New Currents Audience Award.

An award given to the work among the invited New Currents films that received the best audience response.

Although it wasn’t the top prize, it was still a prestigious award.

And this award further fueled the buzz surrounding Seo Yisoo.

While there were three main characters in “Sea Diary,” no one disputed that Seo Yisoo shone the brightest.

“A rising star that lit up the Busan International Film Festival. What’s next for Seo Yisoo’s upcoming work, ‘Crime Predator’?”

“A clash of high-quality genre works in the upcoming season. Who will win between ‘Ghost Me’ and ‘Crime Predator’?”

Numerous articles poured in.

Some of them may have been influenced by Shin Jihu, but most were written based on the journalists’ own observations of the buzz.

It was quite a coincidence.

Originally, “Crime Predator” was in a much more underground position compared to KTBC’s “Ghost Me.”

There was an overwhelming difference in the scale of the broadcasting company, and naturally, the top star’s appearance made a big difference.

If most of the public’s attention was on “I See Ghosts,” then the remaining interest was somewhat evenly split with “Crime Predator.”

So, even if left alone, the ratings for the first episode would have been overwhelmingly higher for “I See Ghosts.”

However…

“In the same season, in the same genre. Fans’ interest spikes in the rivalry dynamic.”

But when the controversy surrounding the agency of “I See Ghosts” lead actor Ha Minseok arose, it actually had the opposite effect.

The controversy increased interest in “Crime Predator,” albeit in a negative direction.

And as the controversy ended with a positive outcome, the negative perception disappeared, leaving only interest behind.

Before they knew it, the public no longer considered “Crime Predator” as an underground work.

It became a worthy rival to “I See Ghosts.”

As the public’s interest surged, the “Crime Predator” team also became more lively.

It wasn’t just a matter of the atmosphere improving.

It was more than that.

“Let’s do it one more time.”

Kim Jungho, who was watching the monitor, calmly suggested a reshoot.

It wasn’t because there was a mistake.

It was simply to capture a better scene.

Considering the hectic conditions of filming a drama, there was likely no one who would enjoy reshooting.

“He’s asking for a reshoot!”

“Let’s give it our all!”

But no one on set frowned.

“He just wants to capture a better scene, that’s all.”

“That’s right. We have to make this work great no matter what.”

The entire crew was united with a sense of duty to defeat their rivals.

“There’s no way we’re going to lose to those guys just by playing dirty tricks.”

It wasn’t just a simple PR play.

They outright targeted the key supporting characters of the opposing work.

And they did it by stirring up unfair controversies.

They can’t afford to lose to those kinds of people.

They must win at all costs.

They will completely crush them.

The “Predator of Crime” team was burning with vengeance.

Isn’t an external enemy the best element to unite a community?

It was the same now.

Everyone worked tirelessly with one heart and one mind.

“No matter what happens! We must win! Let’s do this!”

In their passion.

In their anger.

Everything was building up.

The attention of the public.

The well-crafted script and experienced staff.

And most importantly, the actors armed with exceptional acting skills.

All these elements were coming together.

The set was buzzing every day.

Time passed.

While the set remained the same, the surrounding environment was racing towards a certain point every day.

Some actors did interviews, articles were posted on portals.

Expectations and responses, worries and criticisms repeated.

On the internet, debates about which work was better between “Predator of Crime” and “Ghost of Mine” were not uncommon.

Even the KCN side was excited beyond expectations and spared no support.

And finally, the long-awaited night arrived.

“Today, I rented out a barbecue restaurant! And it’s beef!”

November 2nd. Saturday night, 10 p.m.

The assistant director reserved a spacious barbecue restaurant.

It was the day of the premiere of “Predator of Crime.”

***

Actors and staff alike gathered at the barbecue restaurant.

They all sat together, enjoying loud conversations, alcohol, and meat.

The atmosphere on set was good, allowing them to interact without formality, which was possible due to the good vibes.

But most of all.

“How much is this beef?”

The menu was all about beef.

Expensive and delicious side dishes were a great way to enhance the atmosphere of a drinking party.

Today. The first broadcast.

Seo Yisoo sat with the main cast of the show.

Gil Hye-yeon, Lee Hyun-sung, and Bae Dong-geun were also present.

And there, a strange sight unfolded.

When the sirloin was cooked, Bae Dong-geun piled the meat onto Seo Yisoo’s plate.

“Try this.”

“Okay.”

When the ribeye was cooked, Bae Dong-geun again piled the meat onto Seo Yisoo’s plate.

“This too.”

“Okay.”

“…Sunbae-nim, what are you doing?”

“Just grilling meat.”

“No, I can see that.”

Lee Hyun-sung made a strange expression.

It was because of Bae Dong-geun and Seo Yisoo.

Bae Dong-geun had grilled all the meat on this table.

And whenever each type of meat was cooked, he poured it all onto Seo Yisoo’s plate.

Seo Yisoo was bravely stuffing it all into her mouth.

“Seo Yisoo, you’ve been through a lot. Enjoy the expensive meat.”

Bae Dong-geun tried to justify himself, looking cool.

Of course, Lee Hyun-sung was amazed.

“When did this sunbae start caring about others’ hardships?”

When did the famous Bae Dong-geun in the industry start taking care of others like this?

Look at him now.

“Eating only meat isn’t good for your health. Have some vegetables too.”

Seo Yisoo was stubbornly eating the meat, and Bae Dong-geun, as if worried, forced some lettuce wraps on her.

On set, Bae Dong-geun was taking good care of Seo Yisoo.

“Seo Yisoo definitely has a talent for lowering others’ guard.”

Before the controversy, Seo Yisoo had eaten mango bingsu with Bae Dong-geun, which was only possible because Bae Dong-geun had loosened up his guard.

Of course, Lee Hyun-seong had no idea about the circumstances behind it.

He was simply fascinated by the scene unfolding before him.

Not only was Bae Dong-geun taking care of others, but more so, Seo Yi-soo was particularly intriguing.

“Mmm. This meat is really delicious. It feels like it’s melting in my mouth.”

Seo Yi-soo was devouring an enormous amount of meat, so much so that it was impossible to estimate how many servings she had already consumed.

Her mouth was filled to the brim with meat, and she chewed away like a squirrel, looking adorable.

But no matter how you looked at her, she didn’t have the typical image of an actress.

Lee Hyun-seong made a disgusted face.

“Are you okay eating like that? Don’t you manage your weight?”

“Weight? Manage?”

“…Never mind. Just eat. Yeah, keep eating.”

Seo Yi-soo tilted her head in confusion at the unfamiliar words.

Lee Hyun-seong thought it would be pointless to say anything, so he just added more meat to Seo Yi-soo’s plate.

In the midst of that, he muttered, “I thought she only ate salads based on the comments. Isn’t it a bit disappointing to see her eating like this?”

The public’s misconception about Seo Yi-soo was based on prejudice, but there was some basis for it.

During the film festival greetings, Seo Yi-soo had created a very innocent image, and her physique was so ideal that it was hard to believe she could eat so voraciously.

To the general public who didn’t know the truth, it was natural to assume that Seo Yi-soo was constantly focused on diet and exercise.

“Where does all that food go?”

While there are people with a metabolism that doesn’t gain weight easily, Seo Yi-soo’s eating habits were so extreme that it raised suspicions of genetic issues.

‘What’s wrong? Why does it annoy me to see someone eating well?’

Being a male actor doesn’t mean freedom from weight management.

In fact, it can be quite challenging to maintain muscle mass.

Lee Hyun-seong felt a deep sense of irrationality as he watched Seo Yi-soo, who seemed to have accumulated layers of unnecessary weight.

Then suddenly, he shook his head to dismiss such thoughts.

It wasn’t the time for idle thoughts or banter with Seo Yi-soo.

He spoke in a serious tone.

“How many percent do you think we’ll get?”

“How many? Percent?”

“No, you’re a bit… never mind. Eat. Yeah, keep eating.”

Lee Hyun-seong was about to say something to Seo Yi-soo, who had intervened unnecessarily, but instead, he just picked up more meat and placed it on her plate.

Seo Yi-soo was very pleased.

“Haha. Thank you, Lee Hyun-seong. You’re one of the kindest men I’ve ever met. You’re almost as nice as Oh Kyung-bae, for example.”

“Really appreciate you being so kind.”

The little drama between the two of them passed by.

“Do you think it’ll do well? The ratings.”

Lee Hyun-seong asked anxiously, looking towards Gil Hye-yeon and Bae Dong-geun.

He seemed quite nervous.

Ratings.

Especially the ratings of the first broadcast were extremely important.

They could gauge the success or failure of the entire project.

While the success or failure of one or two works may not be so critical to the actors’ careers, it still had an impact.

If, by any chance, the project flopped, the four main actors would face significant consequences.

That’s why Lee Hyun-seong was worried.

“Well? What do you think? From the perspective of veteran senior actors.”

“Where is that?”

Gil Hye-yeon laughed as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Ratings, you really have to see them to know.”

“Is that so?”

Lee Hyun-seong looked disappointed.

But indeed, Gil Hye-yeon was right.

Ratings were not something that people could control.

Simply working hard or making a good project didn’t guarantee success.

Luck was also needed, and timing had to be right.

The outcome was unpredictable.

was no exception.

You have to see it to know.

It was a highly anticipated work, but it could also face a humiliating defeat, overshadowed by the rival .

Tap, tap, tap-

Hyunseong anxiously tapped his fingers on the table.

But then, it happened.

“I don’t really understand what you’re talking about. But anyway, it will turn out well.”

Seoiso suddenly interjected.

“Huh? What do you know?”

“Well, I don’t really know. But weren’t we talking about whether our work will do well or not?”

“Right, we were.”

“Then it will do well.”

Seoiso knew nothing about ratings, percentages, or the competitive relationship between broadcasting companies and their works.

Frankly, she wasn’t interested.

But she knew.

“The future is uncertain, and no one knows what will happen in the future. But aren’t we doing well at this moment? So…”

She understood the moment.

This moment.

Everyone in the team was passionately doing their best.

So.

“So, we will do well.”

No one knows the future.

But the future eventually arrives through a series of moments.

If you enjoy this moment and give it your all.

That future moment will shine too.

Seoiso said.

“…Yes. That could happen.”

Seoiso’s words were baseless optimism.

A string of powerless words that offered no guarantees.

But they could comfort the listener.

Hyunseong felt the tension that had been building up since the start of the live broadcast finally dissipate.

And he suddenly thought.

Ah, that’s why.

Even the picky Baedonggeun senior must have liked it.

He thought so.

Just like Seoiso had captured Baedonggeun’s heart.

Even now.

It felt like Hyunseong had fully opened his heart.

And he murmured.

“Yes. It will turn out well.”

He had a good feeling about it.

There were plenty of cases where a good work didn’t hit it big, but it wasn’t uncommon for a mediocre work to succeed either.

Unexpectedly, anticipation rose without a plan.

Hyunseong turned his head towards the large TV on the wall.

“The first broadcast. I hope it starts soon.

People have been waiting, eating and drinking.

As the hour and minute hands approached their destination, the once bustling restaurant gradually fell silent.

Everyone sat down and started staring at the TV.

“Phew.”

Someone let out a long sigh.

The sound was filled with trembling.

Everyone understood him.

Before they knew it, the restaurant became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Just then, the last advertisement on TV was ending.

“It’s starting!”

Someone shouted.

.

It was the moment their work was being revealed to the public.

Seoiso’s performance,

The moment it was revealed to the public.